Fentanyl Patches could cause you to overdose.

The Johnson & Johnson Corporation voluntarily recalled 32 million of their Fentanyl Patches on February 12 th , 2008 . Of these 32 million, an estimated 2 million of the Fentanyl Patches could possibly have a defect that can lead to an accidental overdose. The Duragesic Pain patch, which is sold by PriCara and the Fentanyl Transdermal System Patch, sold by Sandoz were involved in this Pain Patch Recall.

This Fentanyl Patch Recall involves all 25-microgram-per-hour patches that are sold in the U.S. by J&J's PriCara unit and Sandoz; made by another J&J unit, Alza Corp. All of the patches affected in the recall are only sold in the United States and they all have expiration dates set on or before December of 2009.

The defect that has caused this recall is a possible cut along one side of the drug reservoir within the patch. If the fentanyl patch does have a cut in it the fentanyl gel within can leak into the pouch the patch is packaged in and easily be transferred to the patient or caregiver when opened. Direct exposure to fentanyl gel can cause serious harm, including an accidental overdose. Anyone who believes they may have a damaged fentanyl patch should immediately properly dispose of the patch to eliminate the risk of accidental overdose.